From the harmonies of the 50s and 60s to a tale of love, murder and revenge, from an electrifying rock musical to a hilarious, heartwarming family comedy, the 61st consecutive season of Tibbits Summer Theatre offers audiences a unique mainstage season featuring three energetic musicals and a play, along with the popular Popcorn Theatre.
Tibbits 2024 professional season begins with three musicals: “Forever Plaid,” “Sweeney Todd” and “Rent,” and closes with “Over the River and Through the Woods.” The summer theatre lineup features a professional company of actors, designers and technicians from across the country and offers eight performances of each show, with both matinee and evening performances Wednesdays through Saturdays. Additionally, Tibbits Popcorn Theatre returns with five family-friendly shows Friday and Saturday mornings beginning in June.
“Forever Plaid” opens the mainstage season and runs June 13-June 22. Delightful, mischievous and unashamedly heart-warming homage to the sweet and innocent sounds of the 50s and 60s when four-part groups harmonized their way across the airways, crooning at their microphones and moving with drilled precision for their swooning fans. (Rated G: All Audiences.)
Next, “Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street” with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler, runs from June 27-July 6. A dark, witty musical of love, murder and revenge set against the backdrop of 19th century London. Sondheim’s thrilling, theatrical treat has simultaneously shocked, awed and delighted audiences becoming a worldwide success since winning eight Tony’s, including Best Musical. (Rated PG-13: Mature themes & stage-violence/imagery.)
The final musical of the season, “Rent,” will continue on stage July 11-July 20. This show features book, music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson. An electrifying rock musical about falling in love, finding your voice and living for today. It follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. (Rated PG-13: Mature themes, substance abuse, sexuality, language.)
The main season closes with “Over the River and Through the Woods,” written by Joe DiPietro which has performances July 25-August 3. Hilarious, heartwarming family comedy about not letting go, by the author of “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change.” Nick is offered his dream job across the country but his loving, eccentric grandparents go to elaborate extremes to keep him from leaving. (Rated G: All Audiences.)
Season tickets for the mainstage shows range from $126-$135 (including fees) and will be on sale in February. Evening summer performances begin at 7:30pm with matinees at 2pm. Gift certificates are currently available at Tibbits.org for season tickets, individual shows, or in any denomination by calling 517.278.6029, visiting the administrative offices at 93 W. Chicago St., or going online to Tibbits.org. The historic Tibbits Opera House is located at 14 S. Hanchett St. in Coldwater, MI.
Last summer Tibbits audiences enjoyed the professional performance of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid.” Gift certificates for the 2024 Tibbits Summer Theatre are currently on sale. Tibbits’ 61st consecutive summer theatre season features musicals “Forever Plaid,” “Sweeney Todd” and “Rent,” closes with the comedy “Over the River and Through the Woods.”
